1. Damian Lillard
The No. 1 target on the list of players to land in exchange for Ben Simmons has been and remains Damian Lillard. He is who the Philadelphia 76ers are most adamant about pairing with Joel Embiid to try and advance through the Eastern Conference with.
Depending on what package the Portland Trail Blazers would ask for, the 76ers should have more than enough left to compensate for Lillard’s shortcomings defensively. Inserting Matisse Thybulle into the lineup alongside him would do the trick, as well as Danny Green.
Lillard would give Doc Rivers a potent one-two punch alongside Embiid. They would terrorize teams with their inside-out game as Lillard’s infinite range pairs excellently with Embiid’s dominance on the interior.
The shot creation that Lillard would bring to the table is something Philadelphia is seeking as well. Tyrese Maxey has done a good job taking over as the starting point guard, but Lillard would take the offense to even another level.
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Philadelphia has shown they are not afraid to wait out a deal they like, as they want more than role players back. Portland has no intention of moving Lillard right now, but that could change in the offseason, especially if they do not sign him to an extension. The extension will be a telltale sign about what the Trail Blazers are planning to do with their franchise cornerstone.
